PLOTTING WITH POTTS

With cold and flu season fast approaching along with winter, it’s important to recognize the differences between sinus pressure and toothaches. Here, we will break down what sinus pressure and pain is caused by, and how that relates to toothaches. We will also find out how to differentiate between the two, so keep reading for more info!

The sinuses are hollow chambers in the skull. They give our voices resonance, and air passes through them on the way to the lungs. When bacteria become lodged and grow in these spaces, it causes a sinus infection. These infections are typically viral, but can also be caused by nasa polyps, allergies, a deviated septum, or a tooth infection.

When the sinuses do become infected, the signs will include:

Pain from swelling, congestion, and inflammation. This will manifest as an aching pressure in the nose, jaws, forehead, and/or eyes. This can sometimes feel like a headache.

Discharge running out of the nose, down the back of the throat, and sometimes out of the eyes.

A sore throat and/or cough.

Now, with all these factors that come with sinus pressure… The teeth can feel some of the pain because the maxillary sinus cavity is directly above the upper back teeth. So any swelling and inflammation can affect the roots of these teeth, causing toothaches. This is actually very common, but can be worrisome if you can’t tell the difference.

There are conditions that will cause toothaches. These are grinding, periodontal disease, cavities, abscesses, and/or braces. If you keep up with your dental appointments, you will usually be aware of these issues ahead of time. However, in the case of not having many sinus infection symptoms or tooth issues, but still feeling that pain… Here’s how to tell the difference!

Usually, a sinus infection will be a dull, aching, coming and going type of pain. Moving your head around may aggravate this feeling. The area of the pain will typically be over a large area as well.

With a toothache, the pain tends to be sharp and centralized while getting continually worse over time. You may also be able to see redness or swelling around the area that hurts.

Of course, it’s important to consult with your dentist and/or primary care physician if you are feeling concerned or have an unknown issue arise. Your dentist can give you a definitive answer to whether your pain is simply sinus pressure or a toothache by giving you a dental radiograph. You’ll then be able to take the proper next steps for what’s going on. Be sure to keep up with your dental appointments and daily oral health!

What is this on my tongue? And, is it normal?

First, let’s establish what a normal, healthy tongue should look like. It should be pink in color and covered with papillae—little, round looking, raised bumps. Those little projections give our tongue texture, which can get irritated from time to time. Irritations can cause numerous symptoms ranging from small sore spots to raised, white patches. Luckily, many irritations resolve themselves within a week or two. This includes those painful, round canker sores (apthous ulcers), which normally take 7-10 days to go away. If they haven’t, it’s time to see your dentist.

Fun Fact: If someone sticks their tongue out at you in Tibet, it does not have a negative or playful meaning like it does in the U.S. Tibetan people stretch out tongues to show respect and as a courtesy.

If something looks or feels strange, have it examined, even if it’s not painful.

Changes in the tongue vary from small, round sore spots to larger patches of thickened tissue. Many are caused by irritation from physical or chemical sources. The most common being: ill-fitting dentures (areas that have chronic irritation/friction), sharp or rough edges on teeth or fillings, tobacco products, poor hygiene, dry mouth, and alcohol. Bacterial and fungal (yeast) infections can also cause white patches or lesions on the tongue. Mayo Clinic has a great resource for reading more about white infections of the tongue, however, the most important thing to remember is that everyone is different and no two cases are the same. If you have any areas on your tongue or inside your mouth, that seem strange to you, have it checked out. Many times, once the source of the irritation is removed, it’ll resolve itself.

Take a look at your tongue in the mirror (preferably without sunglasses;). Check the sides, top, and underneath-including the floor of your mouth. If any areas look or feel unusual to you, let us know!

It’s important to be aware of what’s normal for you and your own body.

When you brush and floss your teeth, make sure to brush your tongue as well. The mouth is full of bacteria—both good and bad. A layer of white film on the surface of the tongue may contain a mix of bacteria, dead cells and food debris. Brushing your tongue daily also helps with bad breath.

Take a look at your tongue in the mirror. Take a look at the floor of your mouth, underneath, and on the sides of your tongue. Be aware of any new, unusual lumps, or patchy areas (white or red) that weren’t there before. If they haven’t gone away on their own within two weeks, call us. Don’t let any unusual or abnormal looking area go too long without being checked! Bleeding areas of the mouth, along with soreness and tenderness is not normal. This includes our gums when we floss.

Have you ever had a cat lick you? Their filiform papillae are heavily keratinized, giving their tongues a rough, scratchy texture. A dog’s tongue, like humans, have a softer texture than a cat’s. Also, for some dogs, sticking their tongue out is a sign that they’re relaxed.

If Stu chews shoes, should Stu choose the shoes he chews? *Tongue Twister

Common signs of oral cancer:

A sore that doesn’t heal or bleeds

A growth, lump, or thick area of tissue, red velvety lesions in the floor of the mouth/sides of tongue

Poorly fitting dentures with chronic irritation to the tissues

Pain in the tongue that doesn’t go away

Pain with chewing or swallowing/sore throat

Having a regular, preventative dental examination twice per year is highly recommended. Catching oral cancer in its earliest stage is so important. If going to the dentist makes you too nervous or anxious, ask us about sedation dentistry. We can even prescribe you a medication to help you relax the night before your appointment! We want you to feel comfortable and relaxed in our office, and never afraid to have your mouth checked.

Dr. Potts is a gentle, caring dentist uses the most advanced materials and procedures available. He practices comfortable, health-centered dentistry, with a strong emphasis on getting to know each patient. In addition technical proficiency, Dr. Potts is a careful listener. He makes sure to understand what you want and will explain beforehand what treatment is best for your individual needs, along with all options available to you.